By Riley Kaminer
Seaworthy Collective is riding a wave of momentum, with the Miami-based nonprofit having announced major funding wins and a significant new role in a national initiative aimed at fostering ocean-based innovation.
Last week, Seaworthy secured a $100,000 grant from Environment Next, which will support its work in empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs to develop solutions for ocean and climate challenges. Today, it revealed its participation in The Continuum, a $13.9 million NOAA-funded initiative to establish a network of BlueTech accelerators across the United States.
Daniel Kleinman, founder and CEO of Seaworthy Collective, expressed excitement about the opportunities these developments bring.
“Environment Next’s recognition and investment in our work will not only enable us to provide 12 weeks of support for multiple BlueTech entrepreneurs in our next cohort at no cost to them, but also support our growing ambitions for how we scale our impact,” he commented.
“With our new investment vehicle, RegeneraSea, we’re finally able to financially support Seaworthy’s startups, enabling access to catalytic capital via innovative philanthropy in our significantly underfunded niche in the ecosystem,” Kleinman continued. “We’re thrilled to have Environment Next leading our next wave of partnerships furthering both equitable and exponential ocean and climate impact for 2025 and beyond.”
The funding from Environment Next will allow Seaworthy to expand its flagship programs, including its Startup Studio and Incubator. These initiatives have already produced success stories, such as Raquel De Antonio of Sargassum Eco Lumber, whose participation in Seaworthy’s accelerator helped her win Startup World Cup Miami.
Kleinman described De Antonio’s journey as a testament to the impact Seaworthy’s programs can have: “She came to us having never pitched publicly and left as a world-class founder.”
Seaworthy’s involvement in The Continuum is equally significant. This NOAA-funded initiative unites seven organizations to address environmental and economic challenges through innovative BlueTech solutions, including Ocean Exchange of Fort Lauderdale, Tampa Bay Wave, St. Pete Innovation District, and the University of South Florida. By leveraging the expertise of groups like Seaworthy, The Continuum aims to fast-track commercialization for startups developing technologies in renewable energy, hazard mitigation, and pollution control.
“The Continuum is the culmination of intentional design and collaboration; built around years of feedback and demonstrated needs across the hundreds of entrepreneurs we’ve collectively supported,” Kleinman said. “Our model will more effectively mobilize shared networks, resources, and opportunities to break down the systemic barriers keeping much-needed resilience solutions from getting to market.”
The initiative will focus initially on Florida, where climate resilience challenges like hurricanes and sea-level rise make innovation critical.
This year, Seaworthy has secured multiple federal grants, including funding from the Department of Energy and NOAA, enabling it to scale its impact and expand its reach. Seaworthy has also launched initiatives like Shoreline, a subscription-based platform offering resources and support to a broader range of BlueTech founders. “We get 75 to 100 applications per cohort but can only work with seven,” Kleinman told Refresh Miami earlier this year. “Shoreline was designed to address that demand.”
By providing access to networks, expertise, and tailored support, Shoreline complements Seaworthy’s existing programs. It reflects the organization’s commitment to scaling innovation and making BlueTech accessible to more entrepreneurs, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. “Founders don’t need more curriculum,” Kleinman said. “They need the right connections and guidance.”
Looking forward, Seaworthy is poised to play an even larger role in shaping Miami’s BlueTech sector. When the organization started in 2021, only 10% of its cohort startups were Florida-based. Now, the majority hail from the state, a sign that the local ecosystem is beginning to thrive. With continued funding and new collaborations, Seaworthy is positioned to make Miami a hub for ocean innovation.
“BlueTech is still in its early stages,” Kleinman reflected. “But we’re starting to see real momentum, and that’s exciting.”
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